My little smile....

who do you think he takes after??:)

Hey guys....I hadn't posted anything about Evie since she was born because I knew most of you probably checked Lindsey's blog and read that she is doing great!  I was hoping to have my own picture of her because we were supposed to go to Nebraska but our family got hit with some sickness and we weren't able to go.  This is a pic Linds put on facebook, but I had to copy it and put it up here!  The girls are such little angels!  Lindsey and John have been such an inspiration to me about being faithful to God and seeing things through with him.  When I get discouraged about a situation there are people from the bible I think about and then there will be this story, a modern day little miracle.  So amazing to have been able to witness it!  Keep praying for sweet baby Evie and the family as they now transition into life at home together.  Thanks Linds & John for reminding us that God works for the good of those who love him.  XOXO

Evie

Hey friends...

Just wanted to ask that you all pray for our friends Lindsey & John as they were induced this morning and baby Evie is on her way.  We don't know exactly what will happen, to expect, or how things will go but we do know that God is with them every step of the way.  They are in our hearts this morning!

Thanks!

1 Peter 4:10 & 11

 Each one should use the whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking in the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  AMEN.

This seems pretty direct...black & white...serve others=glorify God.

How come it seems so hard sometimes to do?  Especially when most of my time is spend now at home changing diapers??!!?  Maybe it's an attitude and maybe it's a state of heart that just makes it easier to embrace those opportunities as a lifestyle.  Doesn't it totally encourage you that it says,"whatever gift" making it seem that even the daily diaper change could be done in a way that would be glorifying.  I gotta get moving towards a new state...

Thanks God!!

I have to write a little bit today, because I want to make sure that I can come back to this feeling whenever I need to, maybe remind my self daily, of what happened to me today.  I have been feeling so anxious lately.  I won't go into great detail but it has been the most terrible feeling I have really ever experienced.  I am praying that it leaves me ASAP:)!  I have been looking to and wondering about what God's plans are for me, my family, this world....deep I know, perhaps too deep but alas these thoughts have been running through me like crazy.  I think I just went through a few days, combined with a few other circumstances , that actually had me doubting and stumbling over who is in charge of this world.  I haven't had a moment like that in a long time, and maybe not like this ever.  I have to tell you though, that if that is what I feel like without Jesus, I NEVER EVER what to be in that place again.  Thank God he has plans, purpose, and a future for me.  He reminded me of that today, it was the craziest thing....how could I not expect that my God would/could do this?  Isn't it amazing to feel pursued in such a personal way, and yet know that he loves everyone in this intimate and amazing way as well.

When I woke up this morning I was coming off a bad nights sleep, tossing, turning, and wondering.  I was hopeful that meeting our dear friends at church this morning and getting some worship in would feed my soul a little but God knew I needed more than that.  The sermon today was talking about an event that had happened at our church last weekend called Barbecue and Baptism, which is our church's yearly event to Baptize and celebrate with members of our church and community.  We weren't able to be there because we were at the lake house with my family.  It was moving and comforting to hear people talk about how God was moving in their lives but I was starting to feel pretty anxious at church anyways.  Then at the end of the service our pastor said he just felt lead to baptise more people this weekend who may not have been able to last weekend.  He called it an impromptu baptism, they way it was done back in the book of Acts.  He went out, bought a pool, and clothes for people and he invited who ever felt lead to do so.  He even said, "I have all the things you need to do the baptism today, you have no excuse, even if your parents are in Omaha (which mine were!!!), because we have a camera right here and they can see it later!"!  I just felt so moved to go, so I hugged Ryan and walked to the back of the church.  

I got baptised this morning (again) and it felt really freeing.  I was baptised by my parents as a babe, but that was there way of giving my life and their parenting over to the Lord...and I have to say guys you surely did raise me to know and love God, job well done!  This morning I knew I was at kind of a cross roads if you will.  I could go on fighting these thoughts pretty faithless (as I have been feeling) or I could decide to go at them with God at my side believing that this world and everything in it is his and is happening under his watch.  He can make changes in one snap to any circumstance, as he did when he got up on that cross and died so that we could even be here today finding hope in a world that seems full to the brim with problems.  I can't say that my anxiety has just magically gone away, but I can say that I am now awear of whose team I am on.  This morning was a very important reminder of that.  I am so blessed that God reached down and met me where I needed him to.  I am sure the others that were baptised felt the same.  He is amazing guys, I am serious:)! 

Thanks to the awesome leadership team at our church who made this possible!  I am just so thankful for the reminder that God is in charge, and hopefully this has reminded some of you! God is SO GOOD!  

Oh, and thanks Erin for the pics:)!  You're the best!

This is how we do it in "God's Country"!

Our travels this summer included a trip to none other than (I'm sure you guessed it), NEBRASKA!  While there we had the awesome experience of being involved in the Ashland Stir Up days.  For those of you who don't know, Ashland is a small town between Omaha & Lincoln where my family is from.  My great grandparents on the Richard side went to school in Ashland, both sets of my grandparents lived there while raising their kids, my Grandma Richard taught at the elementary, my parents started dating in Jr. High at AGPS, and I had the great privilege of teaching 2nd grade there for 2 years.  I loved being part of this community which has meant so much to my family.  It is such a cool thing for me to now bring my son to be a part of the yearly celebration in the town.   

Great Grandpa Sapp is now the proud owner of 6 antique tractors.  He gathered up some boys in the family to drive them in the Stir Up Days parade Saturday morning.  Here's us with Ry as he came by.  It was a stick, but he did really great...only killed it once:)!

This is at Great Aunt Mary's farm in Ashland.  We're smiling with one of her Goats, who G was pretty terrified of.  I thought they were adorable, but once again, Ryan said we can't have any goats at our house...what a fun hater:)!

Posing on Uncle Kevin's tractor!  It was huge and really amazing!  We'd love to go back during harvest and see it in action!

Griff & Cousin Austin walking around the Zig's shop!  There was so much to look at, climb on, and ride.  We gotta get him back there!

Whoa!  It's Captain Max & 1st Mate Griffin!  These pirates are adorable!  They rode so great in this little peach of a pirate ship Suz & I created the morning before(ha!!)!  You never know what project you are going to tackle when you get to Granmee and Grandpa's!  We were in this kiddie parade when we were kids...most famously as Snow White & the 7 dwarfs, and I got to be Snow White!!

Best part of the parade....CANDY!  Griff is going to have Halloween down this year!

Hi Grandpa Wayne!  You look good up there!

Cousin Love

So as you can see a great time was had by all in "God's Country"!  We're always excited getting back to our roots, seeing family and friends, and just being back in a place we know and love!  It's refreshing to be in a small town in the Midwest that still operates that way, there aren't too many left and it's really sweet!  We're blessed to have the history and connection there.  Other highlights from our trip included lots of good down time with Ry's family, a beach day with my family, & a visit with Lindsey and Lyla (see below)!   This visit has us saying, as always...

There is no place like

 NEBRASKA

on our knees...join us?

Lyla & Griff...friends since the beginning:)

Hey family & friends...

Just wanted to take the time to introduce you to our amazing friends, the Elsaessers.  Lindsey is a dear friend, room mate, and sorority sister from college. We both majored in education.  We both got married (Linds to her great hubby John!) in the spring of 2005  & we both got pregnant in the fall of 2006.  The kids, pictured above:) on our visit in July, were born exactly 2 weeks apart in Omaha, Nebraska.  Lyla was born first and when I went to visit them in the hospital I was so jealous that Linds was done with the whole big tight belly/labor situation and was holding her sweet bundle in her arms.  That summer we both battled the postpartum blues and challenges of doing a brand new job on NO sleep but neither of us could get enough of these little faces, tiny toes, and the time when they actually did sleep!  When fall rolled around we both decided that since we weren't going back to our teaching jobs that we would sub, and trade kids (because figuring out what one newborn needed wasn't enough of a challenge for us:)!!)!  We kept this up weekly until we had to stop because we packed it up and moved to Chicago.  Fortunately our friendship didn't stop there, and we have been able to keep in touch, pray for each other, and visit when we come into Omaha.  

This winter/spring the Elsaesser's found out that they were pregnant with their second child and were thrilled.  After the first ultrasound they found out that their sweet baby #2 was facing some tough problems.  Lindsey has set up a blog to track Evie's (baby #2's name...so cute, isn't it??) life.  If you don't know it, go back and read the first post, I will let her explain the full story.  Lindsey is a beautiful writer, but it's not a surprise...the words are a reflection of her beautiful heart.  She is such an amazing friend, wife, and mother...and most importantly servant to the Lord.  Through her parents actions, sweet Evie's life has already touched so many and I know it will continue to do so.        

I would love for you all to join me in reading, supporting, and most of all commit to praying for our friends.   They would really be blessed by your prayers for healing for Evie and for their family.  It's amazing how prayers can connect people's hearts all over the world and have a huge impact on their lives.  We know that our prayers in this situation will be no different, they will be heard by the creator of the universe who loves us more than we can ever understand.  He understands what it feels like to watch a child suffer, he's been there. 

 

Here is the link to their blog:  www.eviejayne.blogspot.com

or you can click on Evie Jayne at the side of our blog!

Thanks guys, we know your life will be changed by watching this family and sending up your prayers.

Blessings,

Abbi. Ryan. Griffin